Vietnam War Overview Flashcards

Flashcards covering key events and concepts from the Vietnam War.

Rostow and Taylor Recommendations

Suggested increased combat missions in Vietnam.

JFK's Acceptance

President John F. Kennedy accepted military advice regarding Vietnam.

Deployment of Soldiers

By July 30, 1962, there were 6,419 soldiers in Vietnam.

President Diem's Unpopularity

Diem became increasingly unpopular among the Vietnamese people.

Monk Protests

In protest of Diem's Anti-Buddhist measures, monks lit themselves on fire.

Kennedy’s Coup Approval

JFK approved a coup that led to President Diem's assassination.

Military Junta

Established a provisional government after Diem's assassination.

Kennedy's Assassination

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

Tonkin Gulf Incident

USS Maddox was attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats, escalating U.S. involvement.

General Westmoreland's Operations

Expanded military operations, increasing American advisers to 21,000 in Vietnam.

Retaliatory Strikes by Johnson

After the Tonkin Gulf incidents, President Lyndon Johnson ordered air strikes against North Vietnam.

Johnson’s National Address

On August 4, Johnson explained his actions on national television following the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Secretary McNamara’s Claims

Claimed the Tonkin Gulf attack was unprovoked, although evidence was questionable.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Authorized President to take necessary military actions to protect South Vietnam.

Credibility Gap

The disparity between claims made by the administration and public beliefs.

Tet Offensive

Beginning in January 1968, it was a military campaign that resulted in U.S. military success but psychological damage.

Resistance to Draft

Emerged as public protests against the war increased.

Nixon's War Policy

Called for Detente to ease Cold War tensions and normalize relations with China while dealing with Vietnam.

Vietnamization

A strategy aimed at training and equipping South Vietnamese troops to take over combat roles.

Decline of U.S. Forces

Poor performance of South Vietnamese troops and declining U.S. troops plagued by issues like drug use.

Cambodia Operations

Nixon initiated secret bombings of North Vietnamese staging areas in Cambodia.

Kent State Incident

May 1970 protests against the war resulted in violent conflict with National Guardsmen.

Rescinding of Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Congress repealed the resolution in response to the public outcry against the war.

Easter Offensive and Christmas Bombing

Highlighted North Vietnam's determination, leading to U.S. military failures.

Paris Peace Accords

Signed on January 8, 1973, accelerating U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam.

Final Withdrawal

The last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973.

End of U.S. Funding

By 1975, the U.S. ceased funding the South Vietnam regime.

Fall of Saigon

Saigon fell on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Unification

Vietnam was officially unified under a communist regime on July 2, 1976.